Elucidation of the axon guidance and elongation mechanisms in the hypothalamic neurons: Investigation in the differentiation of mouse ES cells

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K15917
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 46020:Anatomy and histopathology of nervous system-related
• Research Institution: Fujita Health University
• Principal Investigator: Kawata Miho 藤田医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (90761601)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: マウス ES 細胞 / 視床下部 / 下垂体 / 軸索伸長 / 軸索ガイダンス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The mechanism of axon guidance in the hypothalamus-pituitary system is still unknown. To solve this problem, we analyzed the mouse ES cells (mESCs)-derived hypothalamic neurons. We found that the graft-derived axons project to the posterior pituitary only when mESCs-derived hypothalamic neurons are orthotopically transplanted, and that axon projection to the pituitary gland is likely to be mediated by a haptotaxis mechanism that depends on the external environment nearby. Furthermore, we found the candidate molecules predicted to be involved in axon guidance and elongation.

Free Research Field

神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

視床下部ニューロンの軸索誘導に関するこれまでの研究はいずれも拡散性分子による走化性機序を示すものであった。本研究は、それらの報告とは異なる、走触性機序による新たな軸索誘導機構を提案する。また、本研究で見出した候補分子群の機能解析を進めることで、視床下部ニューロンの軸索誘導・伸長機構の詳細が明らかになるとともに、それらの知見が視床下部・下垂体疾患の治療や再生医療に繋がる可能性がある。